History & values

Vietnamese Language Studies Saigon - VLS, formerly known as the Saigon Vietnamese Language School for Foreigners (SVLSF), was established in 1994 by Dr. Vo Xuan Trang as one of the very first Vietnamese language centers in Ho Chi Minh City. VLS is a leading professional institution specializing in teaching Vietnamese language and culture to international students. We take pride in having successfully trained thousands of students over the past 24 years.

VLS conducts academic programs, individual training, and corporate training for overseas-based and HCMC-based international individuals, organizations, and offices. Our students come from a diverse range of backgrounds. Many of them are college and graduate students, researchers, professors, native language teachers, doctors, businesspeople, consulate officers, diplomats, volunteers, and expatriates from all walks of life.

Our strong reputation in the community is owed to our belief in the continual investment in the quality of teaching, curriculum, infrastructure of our institution, and a strong commitment to excellence in classroom.

We treasure our GREAT INSTITUTIONAL LEGACY.

The founder’s desire to establish Vietnamese Language Studies Saigon (VLS) in 1994 was firmly based on the understanding that “Teaching Vietnamese to foreigners means you are promoting a greater understanding and cooperation between people from all over the world and Vietnamese because the language is the most powerful pathway to thoroughly understand a culture and an ethnic identity".

Aware of the importance of training professional teachers in this area, he fully devoted the rest of his life to establish and develop this field into a respected profession.

As successors, we have continued his desire, and it has become our passion.

We respect our institutional values:

1. Nhiệt tâm (Nhiệt: zeal, Tâm: heart): To us teaching is an art. We nourish and stimulate the creativity of each teacher. Our passion is the great source of energy for our devotion and creativity, which allows us to bring the Vietnamese language to your heart, from where your progress is inspired and your insight into Vietnam is gained. Our talented teachers are devoted to their profession and maintain a strong desire to continue to develop this fresh new profession. We aspire to bring the language to the learner’s heart.

2. Commitment: We are highly committed to effective language acquisition for our students. Our teaching and our school is an on-going development to constantly bring more value to our students. Through our shared commitment, we are motivated to innovate dynamic curricula, more effective teaching methods, and maintain an encouraging learning environment that integrates high technology with the passion and talent of our staff.

3. Stewardship: At VLS we work together to fulfill our founder’s desire and our vision of what VLS will be in the future. While our teachers take initiative to develop their skills to become excellent teachers, our supportive staff contribute to a positive work environment that is conducive to learning and studying the Vietnamese language. Our academic department is always beside to the teachers to provide them with effective teaching aids, materials, language activities, and advice.

Our teaching quality is widely recognized and described as “SỐNG ĐỘNG”, a lively, vital, and energetic method of teaching.